UP Diliman, University of Glasgow forges partnership with Mines Bureau for river morphology study

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- The University of the Philippines Diliman and University of Glasgow in Scotland has partnered with Mines and Geosciences Bureau in a new research about river morphology and its associated processes that could impact people and infrastructures.

The study will develop a national-scale catchment characteristics database and associated river geometry relations to assess the susceptibility of different catchments to morphological change impacts on flood hazards.Moreover, the study aims to assess flood hazards arising from morphological change associated with variations in sediment supply and the influence of lateral constraints on channel morphological adjustment.

To assess the fluvial and landscape characteristics, the study will use national scale topographic models and repeat satellite imagery.

“To assess flood hazards, project partners will be using high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMS) of the Pinacanauan river and Bacara river from airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and bathymetric surveys,” Chad Aquino, c/geologist of MGB ROII said.

“On our part, MGB will be providing data to the researchers such as rain-induced landslide and flood hazard maps, geologic maps, mining/quarry tenements, and other relevant studies that can support the research,” Aquino added.

The project will be studied from November 2018- November 2021 while the locale of the study will be from Pinacanauan river along with Abuan and Bintacan rivers in Ilagan Isabela to Bacarra river in Ilocos Norte.

The findings of the research will guide river and flood management in the Pinacanauan river and Bacarra catchments.

The study will be undertaken by geomatics and fluvial geomorphology experts from UP Diliman and University of Glasgow, respectively.

Along with MGB, UP Diliman and University of Glasgow likewise forged partnership with Professor Gary Brierly of University of Auckland, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Local Government Units of Ilagan City, Isabela and Municipality of Vintar.

MGB ROII geologists participates in 2019 Geosciences Workshop

To participate in the discussion on geologic data which will be utilized for the current year’s activities, five geologists of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II participated in the 2019 Annual Geosciences Workshop held on 18-22 January 2019 at Xenxia Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Chief Geologist Felicitas V. Piligan, Supervising Geologist Marie Nelle G. Monteclaro, Senior Geologists: Oliver Hans H. Lapina and Ruvic Anne L. Villarias, and Geologist II Janah Joy J. Vicera attended said geosciences workshop hosted by MGB Regional Office No. III. Discussed during the workshop was the overview and concepts of geoparks. Supervising Science Research Specialist of MGB Central Liza Socorro J. Manzano gave lecture on steps that will help the Philippines in the declaration of geoparks.

On the other hand, Officer in Charge of the Geological Laboratory Services Section Jocelyn C. Villanueva presented the standardized sample index form template to be used by MGB Central Office and its Regional Offices.

MGB Central Geologist Carl Reinier T. Padua likewise discussed the information and communication protocol for disasters for the MGB Operations Center and MGB Quick Response Team (QRT).

Padua emphasized the need of the regional offices to update the geohazard maps whenever natural calamities occur.

Five parallel sessions were conducted to discuss issues on Quadrangle Mapping, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) on VRA, Subsidence Hazard Assessment and Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment, Groundwater Resource and Vulnerability Assessment, and Mineral Reservation Program. After the workshop, Geologists participants went on a three-hour trek to the Pinatubo Crater.

Cagayan Valley has new DENR chief

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 has a new Regional Executive Director.

The change of command took place on Jan. 11, 2019 at the Narek Hall, DENR Regional Office, Tuguegarao City officiated by Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas R. Leones.

USEC Leones relayed to the two regional heads the marching order of Secretary Roy A. Cimatu to focus on river rehabilitation. “The rivers must be clean,” said the national planning top official.

Incoming Regional Executive Director Antonio A. Abawag said “the swapping could be for the betterment” as he urged everybody to do his tasks and “continue to work on the priority programs of our Secretary.” “Let’s respect one another. That’s basic,” the new Cagayan Valley environment chief emphasized.

The reshuffling of REDs was announced by Secretary Cimatu during the New Year’s Call on Jan. 5, this year at the DENR Central Office, Quezon City.

The designation of Atty. Abawag as OIC, RED is contained in Special Order No. 2019-06 issued by Secretary Cimatu on Jan. 7, 2019.

Director Abawag took over the leadership from OIC, Regional Executive Director Gil A. Aromin who is designated as OIC, RED of DENR Region 5, where Atty. Abawag came from.

Prior to his designation as OIC, RED in the Bicol Region, Atty. Abawag was the Assistant Regional Director for Management Services in the same region after serving as ARD for Technical Services from 2015 to 2017 in CALABARZON. He was also the Regional Technical Director for Forestry in Region 5 for four years.

A licensed forester, he worked as a CENR Officer for 10 years and became the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) Officer of the different provinces in Region 5.

He first joined the DENR in 1979 as Senior Forester at the then Bureau of Forest Development in Region 5.

A Director III by position, Atty. Abawag was appointed Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) IV on August 23, 2013. # DENR ROII/CCC

Region 2 helps rescue operations in Mt. Province

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO, TMT
NOVEMBER 12, 2018

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan: Despite being directly hit by Typhoon “Rosita,” Cagayan Valley (Region 2) authorities sent rescue teams to conduct search and retrieval operations in Natonin town in Mountain Province.

The Cagayan Valley Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (Cvrdrrmc), though, confirmed zero casualties during Rosita and the Department of Agriculture (DA) said damage to crops reached P2.3 billion.

Natonin Mayor Mateo Chiyawa said 18 bodies, including that of one rescuer, were recovered while 11 remained missing on Friday when operations ceased at the landslide area.

The major damage was the landslide in Barangay Nacarang Banuel in Natonin where a four-story building of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was buried in mud.

The Cvrdrrmc said heavy rains during the onslaught of the typhoon and lack of equipment posed challenges to the rescue operations and prompted more institutions to respond immediately.

Responding to the urgent call from Mountain Province, Region 2 disaster management officials immediately sent rescue teams who were mobilized prior to Rosita’s landfall.

Rescue teams from the DPWH and other institutions conducted search and retrieval operations.

Mining firm OceanaGold based in Nueva Vizcaya also responded through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) in Region 2.

On Sunday, Mario Ancheta, MGB Region 2 director, said the OceanaGold rescue team was sent immediately to Natonin in coordination with the Of fice of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 2 and Cvrdrrmc.

They joined the retrieval team from the Army’s 54th and 77th Infantry Battalions, Army reservists, police and fire bureau personnel from Mountain Province, Kalinga and other parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region; Philippine Air Force; DPWH in Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya; Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices from Region 2, and private volunteers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development confirmed that 7,849 houses were damaged by Rosita in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Eastern Visayas and Cordillera Administrative Region.